For ages, Himalayas have signified asceticism. Needless to say, it is more than coincidence that certain practices are associated with a place. A visit to higher reaches of Himalayas, still reverberate with the energies that inspired generations.

However in this world of change, nothing remains static. Therefore we need to be aware if the flow of energy associated with a place moves elsewhere then it become vital to move on.

Tibet, the land of Lamas and Nomads, has served as a confluence of many faiths. Practice of Buddhism being central to its core, centuries ago it were the ascetics from India who freely travelled to these highlands, finding them conducive for spiritual enlightenment. For ages Hindus and Jains had been visiting the areas of Mount Kailash and Mansarovar lake, in quest for satisfying their minds. Guru Nanak, the first Guru of the Sikhs too travelled deeply across this land.

Post 1959 Chinese advance into Tibet, it became impossible for people to freely reach the high altitude plateau. Tibetans, themselves under threat of preservation of their culture, religion and values, started moving to the lower lands of Nepal and India. With the limitation created on the flow of spiritual energy associated with these lands, its inhabitants found it vital to move on. While embracing change, the Tibetans have created new flows of energy elsewhere but the magnetic call of the Himalayas will continue to serve as a reminder of its rich past association with being the cradle of spirituality.

On way to Ngari province in Tibet, stopping at lake Peiku Tso in Tibet, I was stunned by the expanse of this alpine lake. The lightly salted lake at 4,600 meter, is nestled between high snow capped mountains, with Mount Shishapangam (also called Gosainath), the fourteenth highest mountain standing tall at 8,000 meter on its right. In the pre-Chinese occupation, the Tibetan nomads would spend their spring and autumn months in the vicinity of this water body.

In an attempt to capture the lakes expanse in one photo, I made a large panorama. To give perspective, the nestled lake in this photo covers 300 square kilometer.

Click photo below to expand the panorama of Lake Peiku Tso.

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This lake is situated close to my birth place- Porong Drachen. I spent many years of childhood within the periphery of the lake and it’s pastoral areas. We enjoyed heavily spring and summer. Autumn and winter were difficult. In pre-1959 Tibet, this area constituted the Chiefdom of Porong Jevon.

Amardeep g, 300 sq.km captured in one frame? possible? or is it the same technique which some photographers used to capture the wide panorama of Mont Blanc this year by combining different pictures together? speechless, if this is one picture of yours. in my humble opinion, if we go big, we miss the minute beauties, which are the units of the overall beauty. anyhow, great like all your previous works. stay blessed.

This was created by putting my DSLR camera on a tripod and shifting it frame by frame to click 9 high resolution photos, overlapping on each other for some sections, which were later stitched on the computer. That’s the only way you can create a single panorama photo through a DSLR.

This is a sacred lake deeply associated with Guru Padma Sambhava’s miraculous deeds of taming or subdueing of the vicious anti-dharma spirits of pre-Buddhist Tibet.

The vicious Gangkarma( female spirit) gave a daunting challenge to Gururinpoche. She was the toughest spirit that GR had to face. Eventually she ran away from Mangyul( Kyirong) and sought a safe haven in the depth of Peku Tso( it is a corruption of the Tibetan word Palkud).

Here GR threw his ” vajra ” or thunderbolt making the lake water boil. Even then, Gangkarma emerged out of the lake as a skeleton and tried to challenge GR. She was eventually defeated and submitted herself at the feet of GR and promised not harm brings and help protect dharma.

Every Tibetan once in a while mummers GR prayer part of which says” at the Palkud , you subdued the “meatless” Gangkarma”, meaning you defeated her by reducing to the status of a skeleton.

Amazed by the photography I came here to know more. What I got here is even more surprising… A treasure trove of info about the mystic land. Thankful to you as well as all those who shared unheard stories in the comments as well.

Tibet is dubbed as a land of mysticism. But Tibetan history is real and well documented since 130 B.C.
Guru Padma Sambhava was invited by the second dharma king of Tibet Thrisong Deutsen in 8th century to introduce Buddhism in Tibet. Along with him was also invited Abbot Boddhisatva. The Trio is known as KhenLopChoe sum: Khenpo Bodhisattva, Lopon Padma Sambhawa and Choegyal( dharma king) Thrisong Deutsen.

GR was a tantric master, originally hailing from Swath valley of Pakistan, Bodhisatva was known for his Sutra and Vinaya .

One magnificent panoramic snap along with well informative note on Tibetan lake gives us hints of the specialty of the lake and the region where it is situated. This feature brings the history of spiritual quest of human soul in this region.the serene nature nourished the spiritual urge of human being.
Amardeep in all his photo-feature tells us about the universe with a philosophical outlook that enriches our soul and enlightens our point of view.
Thanks to him.